Cost Manager

About the role

JLL is hiring a Cost Manager in Lisbon to deliver cost management services across building and infrastructure projects. The role combines technical expertise, commercial awareness and client-facing responsibility, keeping projects within budget while maximising value. It covers cost planning, budgeting, procurement support, financial reporting, benchmarking, value engineering and cost control across the project lifecycle, working closely with Project Managers, Design Teams, Contractors and Clients.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and manage cost plans, budgets, estimates and forecasts from concept through detailed design, and monitor project costs with regular financial reporting.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support procurement: tender preparation, bid analysis, negotiation and contractor selection.
• Review contractor valuations, change orders, variations and final accounts, keeping accurate cost records.
• Conduct benchmarking and market analysis, apply value engineering and Target Value Design, and develop lifecycle cost assessments for feasibility studies and business cases.
• Act as a trusted advisor, build client relationships and present cost reports and analyses.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Design Teams, Contractors and consultants, and ensure deliverables meet JLL quality standards.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Cost Management.
• Proven experience preparing cost estimates, budgets and reports for construction/real estate projects.
• Experience in procurement support, tender evaluation and contract administration across the full project lifecycle.
• Fluent in Portuguese and English.
• Preferred: experience with large-scale commercial, hospitality, residential, office or mixed-use developments, and exposure to value engineering, benchmarking and financial analysis.

Required skills

• Strong Excel and cost estimation software skills.
• Project planning and reporting tools are a plus.
• Analytical, financial and problem-solving skills, and strong stakeholder management and communication skills.